I'm debating between $700-$1000 scopes for my new 17HMR
Which raises the question:
Should the cost of the scope, exceed the cost of the rifle?
For hunting small game, no. Not necessary.
I own an inexpensive CenterPoint 4-16x40 mil-dot ($70}
that has done everything that I've required of it.
Even use it on an RWS 54 "Scope-Eater" with no problems.
But for range use the heavy crosshairs don't allow for
precision shooting. Those same heavy crosshairs
are great in brush or low light as they show up, where
the target reticle gets lost. The crosshair illumination feature
allows the Centerpoint to be used as a red dot for early morning
short range squirrel hunting. My Mueller 8-32x44 ($260)
with target dot and fine crosshairs is ideal for 25 to 200 yard
range/paper punching and open field varmint control.
My Weaver T-24 ($400) is my 50 yard bench scope.
Crosshairs are so fine, as to be useless for hunting,
but make splitting the 0.10 inch center dot on a USBR target
a simple matter. Choose your scope to fit your budget
and usage, or get a couple of scopes and swap 'em as needed.
Works for me.
